DHULIKHEL - Bird-eye view series of Nepal

The hill resort of Dhulikhel lies 32 km to the east of Kathmandu on the Arniko Highway that leads Tibet. In the old days, Dhulikhel flourished as a trading centre handling commerce between Kathmandu and Lhasa. Today, it delights visitors with its enchanting cultural heritage and stunning Himalayan views.

THE TOWN

Dhulikhel (population 20,000) and altitude 1,440 m) is a small town with a long history with a long history. Records show that it has been around for more than 500 years. Streets are lined with bare-brick houses, carved wooden windows, sloping tile roofs, pagoda temples, and sacred statues everywhere; you will think you have wandered into a cultural theme park.
The major places of worship here are Narayan and Harisiddi temples, which are adorned with profuse wood carvings. The Gokhureswar Mahadev temple, a 30-minute walk to the eastern part of town, is a peaceful and scenic spot. The Bhagawati temple is situated at a height in the western part of Dhulikhel and dominates the skyline. From here, you can get a beautiful vista of the town and surrounding areas.

THE VIEW

There are many vantage points in Dhulikhel which offer a panorama of the Himalaya that will leave you spellbound. Looking out over low hills and valleys, the mountains rise up in an extended arc stretching from the far left to the far right. More than 20 Himalayan peaks, including Annapurna (8,091 m), Ganesh (7,429 m), Langtang (7,234 m),
Phurbi-Chachu (6,637 m), Gauri Shanker (7,134 m), and Lhotse (8,516 m) can be seen in all their glory. You should get up early in the morning to watch the first rays of the sun hit the summits and their colors change. Sunset views are equally spectacular.

ACTIVITIES

The most popular activity for visitors in Dhulikhel is doing nothing. For something more strenuous, I recommend bird watching. You can sit back in your hotel garden and admire the winged creatures fluttering from tree to tree. The forests around Dhulikhel harbor many species of exotic birds.

For adventurers, there’s hiking around the countryside, visiting nearby pilgrimage sites and mountain biking. The shrine of Namo Buddha, where the Buddha in a past life is said to have offered his own flesh to a starving tigress, is four-five hours on foot. Rafting on the Sun Koshi river, 25 km away, is another diversion.

Unveil the mystery of Tilicho Lake – Bird-eye view series of Nepal

The Annapurna circuit is one of the most famous trekking destinations in the world. It offers tourists who come to Nepal opportunities to trek within Himalayan ranges, along trails that take one as high as 5,416 meters at the Thorang-La pass; and at the foot of the pass, at a height of 4,919 m, lies the mysterious Tilicho lake.

This lake is located at an elevation that makes it the highest in the world. Crystal clear and emerald green, it sits quietly below Tilicho peak, which towers above at 7,132 m. It is off the main trekking route, but is actually quite a spectacular side trip for the experienced trekker, and serves the additional purpose of providing two or three days of acclimatization in and around Manang, prior to going over Thorang La. Some glaciologists believe that Tilicho lake in its unique geographical location, situated in an area protected by Tilicho peak as well as the Annapurna Range, has allowed a unique phenomenon to occur. The lake according to them is positioned in a natural cavity between the mountains, which has left it pretty much as it was before the ice age.

The Tilicho trail starts from Manang, and takes around three days to reach and should only be undertaken by well equipped and experienced parties. The Tilicho route has some sections that crosses massive boulder fields. However, most important fact is that one has to remain at high attitude for considerable period of time. Once one has ascended and crossed the rim around the lake, there is no quick way down in case, one is suddenly struck by the acute mountain sickness and timing is extremely important. As a large section of the trail is at high attitudes and it is necessary to camp high one has to be properly acclimatized, or allow time for it. One needs to have excellent camping gear, food, and clothing for high altitude on this trail.

The trail out of Manang descends to a wooden bridge spanning the Marsyandi river, climbs to a long flat ridge leading into a beautiful pine forest, and finally descends to another wooden bridge across the Kangsar Khola – before climbing up to Kangsar
(3,700 m) where there are two small lodges. From Kangsar, there are three trails to Tilicho Base Camp, taking 4-6 hours, depending on the trail.

The shortest, and usually least dangerous path descends from Kangsar to the river, crosses a metal suspension bridge, and follows the riverbank through wooded areas. Unfortunately, this path can be blocked by landslides, or high river water. It is best to ask the locals in Kangsar about trail conditions. After about 3 hours walking up-river, you cross a primitive bridge, ascend steeply, and follow the ridge along a path to Tilicho Base Camp.

The seconds path from Kangsar arrives after about two hours at Gompa, which is an interesting place to visit. A short distance from Gompa (monastery), the path enters a wide crossing over a landslide of very fine scree at an extremely steep angle. It is a dangerous path, and in places, the path actually disappears. This trail should only be taken by experienced trekkers who have crossed scree landslides before. Eventually, this path joins up with the lower path.
The third trail rises steeply and circuitously, and takes about two hours longer. It descends rapidly down a switchback landslide into Tilicho Base Cam, at about 4,300 m. From Tilicho Base Camp, the path continues up along moraine ridges and grassy slopes to some large switchbacks carved out on the slope till you reach a watershed. On the other side is Tilicho Lake. It is not possible to go around the edges of the lake, so it is best to ascend to a ridge at 5,000 m, overlooking Tilicho lake. Campsites are also found on its north eastern shore.

At the lake, one often feels symptoms of altitude sickness like shortness of breath, exhaustion, headache, etc. Staying at the lake for more than an hour is not a comfortable experience so it is best to descend quickly to the base camp within an hour. One can also descend to the base camp at Manang on the lower path, which is another four hours plus. Another option is to make the trip from Base Camp to the Tilicho Lake and return to Manang in one long, rather tiring day. From Kangsar at Manang, you can also go straight to Thorang La and descend either to Muktinath (eight hours) or walk another three hours to Jomsom from there.

There are two possible passes from Tilicho Lake to Jomsom, the first one is the Meso Kanto La (pass), which unfortunately leads to a restricted military training area. An alternative option is to cross and find the traverse to Thini. Going that way will bypass the restricted area and solve this problem. The crux is that the west slope of Meso Kanto La is very steep. When it is snow covered, it may at best be an excruciating snow trudge but it can also be avalanche prone or not negotiable at all without crampons, ice axe, and ropes. Snow and ice can be expected there from early September to May. The second trail is famous among tourists and is known as the Tourist La (pass). As the name suggests, this is much easier to negotiate and from the passs trekkers have a view far into Tibet and Mustang.

The start of the Tilicho trail is common to the Annapurna circuit trail or one can take flight from Pokhara to Jomsom. The best seasons to visit Tilicho lake are June, July, and August. But, during the monsoon season, Tilicho is at its best, when other areas are experiencing rain. It is freezing cold between October to May and snow, which rarely melts, can fall any time. Furthermore, one has to cross some steep slopes that are avalanche prone when snow covered.

The lake is said to be very deep, besides being extremely cold, and there are stories of a few people who came years ago with diving equipment to explore it, but having dived never resurfaced. The Sherpa native believe in the existence of a mysterious flying amphibian creature in this region. There are also several secret ceremonies devoted to the “Creature of Tilicho”. Some of these include a full moon night ceremony, a horse race in Muktinath, and a goat sacrificed to the so-called “creature” at the Tilicho lake itself. The mysteries of Tilicho remains elusive and unspoken of. But whatever the case be, this lake sits at its height calmly and beautiful, challenging the people who try to defy it.

TREKKING AGENCIES – Bird-eye view series of Nepal

In Kathmandu

A-ONE TREKKING
P. O. Box 8720, Durbar Marg; Tel: 0977-1-4250754, 4267792; Fax 977-1-4267740
E-mail: aonetrek@wlink.com.np

AMADABLAM ADVENTURE GROUP
P. O. B. 3035, Kamal Pokhari; Tel: 0977-1-4415372, 4415373; Fax 977-1-4416029
E-mail: himalaya.sales@amadablam.wlink.com.np

AMIT TREKS
GPO Box 7532, Thamel; Tel: 0977-1-4259310
E-mail: amittreks@wlink.com.np
Website: www.catmando.com/amittreks

ASIAN TREKKING
P.O. Box 3022, Thamel; Tel: 0977-1-4415506; Fax: 977-1-4411878
E-mail: asianadv@mos.com.np

BEYOND BASE CAMP TREKS & EXPEDITIONS
P. O. Box 9048, Kathmandu; Tel: 0977-1-4437716; Fax: 977-1-4435027
E-mail: bbc@wlink.com.np
Website: www.bbctreks.com

BON VOYAGE TREKKING AGENCY
P. O. Box 4146, Thamel, Narsingh Camp; Tel: 0977-1-4427487,4266114; Fax: 977-1-4266114
E-mail: bonyage_nepal@yahoo.com
Website: www.bonvoyagenepal.com
www.geocities.com/bonvoyage_nepal

DESTINATION NEPAL TREK & EXPEDITION
G. P. O. Box 5408, Thamel; Tel: 0977-1-4259538, 42584119, Fax: 977-1-4258419
E-mail: info@destination.com.np
Website: www. Destination.com.np

EAST WIND HOLIDAYS
G. P. O. Box 3039, Chhetrapati; Tel: 0977-1-4248712; Fax: 977-1-4255454
E-mail: shambala@ccsl.com.np

ECO TREK
P. O. Box 6438, Thamel; Tel: 0977-1-4424112, 4424113; Fax: 977-1-4420490
E-mail: bimal@ecotreknepal.com
Website: www.ecotreknepal.com

ENVIRO TREKS
P. O. Box 11480, Jyatha, Thamel; Tel: 0977-1-4268050; Fax: 977-1-4267440
E-mail: enviro.treks@nepal.com
Website: www.neerab.com

GLACIER SAFARI TREKS
P. O. Box 2238, Bhagwan Bahal, Thamel; Tel: 0977-1-4412116, 4414549;
Fax: 977-1-4418578
E-mail: gst@wlink.com.np

GURKHA’S ENCOUNTERS OVERLAND ADVENTURE
P. O. Box 20195, Ganeshman Street, Thamel; Tel: 0977-1-4266388; Fax: 977-1-4266355
E-mail: overland@wlink.com.np
Website: www.gurkha-trekking.com

HIGHLANDER TREKS & EXPEDITION
P. O. Box 10987, Thamel; Tel: 0977-1-4243158, 4424653; Fax: 977-1-4411889
E-mail: highlander@wlink.com.np

Indian Foreign Secretary to arrive today

Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon is scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu today in his first visit to Nepal since he took over the charges at the Ministry of External Affairs.

Menon, who is going to be the senior most Indian official to be visiting the country since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, Foreign Minister, other ministers, officials and political leaders during his three-day stay in Kathmandu.
Menon will be accompanied by Pankaj Saran, the chief of Nepal-Bhutan desk at the South Block.

POKHARA – An enchanting Himalayan valley (Bird-eye view series of Nepal)

If Kathmandu is the cultural hub of Nepal, then Pokhara is its centre of adventure. Pokhara (population approx. 1, 000,00) is a resort city of remarkable beauty. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificent summit of Machhapuchhre rising behind it create an ambiance of peace and magic. Pokhara is part of a once vibrant caravan route extending between India and Tibet. This is the land of Magars and Gurungs who have earned worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers. Brahmins, Chhetris, and Thakalis are other major communities here.

PLACES TO SEE

Mountain views. Clearly the most stunning of Pokhara’s sights is the spectacular panorama of the Annapurna range which forms its backdrop. The Annapurna I to IV and Annapurna South. Although the highest among them is Annapurna I (8,091 m), it is Machhapuchhre (6,977 m) which dominates all others in this area.

Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in the Kingdom roughly measuring 1.5 by 4 km, is the centre of all attractions in Pokhara. It is the largest and most enchanting of the three lakes that add to the resplendence of the resort town. The eastern shore, popularly known as Lakeside or Baidam, is the favorite home base for travelers and is where most of the hotels, restaurants, and handicraft shops are located.

Begnas Lake and Rupa Lake are located about 5 km from Pokhara at the end of a road that turns north from the highway to Kathmandu. Divided by a forested hillock called Panchabhaiya Danda, the lake offer the perfect nature retreat because of their relative seclusion. Splendid boating and fishing opportunities can be had here.

Barahi Temple. Built on an island on Phewa Lake, this two-storied pagoda is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima, the protectress deity representing the female force. Devotees can be seen, especially on Saturdays, carrying animals across the lake to be sacrificed to the deity.

World Peace Stupa, a massive Buddhist stupa, is situated on top of a hill on the southern shore of Phewa Lake. Besides being an impressive sight in itself, the shrine is a great vantage point which offers superb views of the Annapurna Himal range and Pokhara city.
Seti Gandaki. Flowing right through the city, the boisterous river runs completely underground at places. Amazingly, at certain points the river appears hardly two meters wide. But its depth is quite beyond imagination – over 20 meters! Mahendra Pul, a small bridge near the old Mission Hospital, provides a perfect view of the river’s dreadful rush and the deep gorge made by its powerful flow.

Seti Gorge and Green Caynon. The View Point of the Fulbari Resort offers an unrivaled panorama of the Annapurna range with Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna III, Annapurna I, and Annapurna South extending from right to left. A splendid vista of the Seti Gorge, a deep and narrow gorge cut by the Seti river, and the Green Canyon spreads out below.

Devi’s Fall. Locally known as Patale Chhango, Devi’s Fall (also known as Devil’s. Devin’s or David’s) is an awesome waterfall lying about 2 km south-west of Pokhara airport on the highway to Tansen. Legend has it that a trekker (Devin, David …) was washed way by the Pardi Khola and disappeared down into an underground passage beneath the fall.

Gupteswar Gupha is a sacred cave located near Devi’s Fall. The cave is almost 3 km long. It has some big fall hall-size rooms and some passages. This cave holds special value for Hindus since a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva is preserved here in the condition it was discovered.

Mahendra Gupha. Another of nature’s wonders in Pokhara is the Mahendra Gupha. This large limestone cave is locally known as the House of Bats, an apt name for it. A two-hour walk to the north of Pokhara, it is best to bring your own torch to see the stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the local winged residents.

Robert’s Aviary. Colonel Jimmy Roberts, the father of trekking in Nepal, collected pheasants during his trekking and mountaineering forays into the Annapurna mountains. He maintained an aviary for these colorful and sangquine birds.

The Old Bazaar. Pokhar’s traditional bazaar is colorful and so are its ethnically diverse traders. In its temples and monuments can be seen ties to the Newar architecture of the Kathmandu Valley. Located about 4 km from Lakeside, the market’s original charm is alive and well.

Bindhybasini Temple is the centre of religious activity in the old bazaar. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhagawati, yet another manifestation of Shakti. The park-like grounds offer a fine picnic area, and on Saturday s and Tuesdays when devotees flock there to offer sacrifices, take on a festive local flavor.

The Tibetan refugee settlement, Tashi Palkhiel, also known locally as Hemja Camp, is
7 km north of Pokhara on the west bank of the Seti river. Of interest here are the monastery, handicraft centre, and herbal medicine clinic.

MUSEUMS

Pokhara Museum, located between the airport and Mahendra Pul, reflects the ethnic mosaic of western Nepal. The lifestyles and history of ethnic groups such as the Gurung, Thakali, and the Tharu are displayed.

Annapurna Museum, also known as the Natural History Museum, is located at Prithivi Narayan Campus east of the old bazaar. Managed by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the museum has an exceptional collection of butterflies, insects, birds, and models of wildlife as well as samples of various precious and semi-precious stones and volcanic rocks.

The Gurkha Memorial Museum is housed within the premises of Hotel Nature Land at Pardi, Pokhara. The museum has on display uniforms and badges of Gurkha infantry regiments, Gurkha engineers, signals, and transport regiments, and the Gurkha Contingent of the Singapore Police Force. There are also historical photographs and medals of Gurkha veterans – some dating back to the First World War.

LUMBINI-Birthplace of the Buddha (Bird-eye view series of Nepal)

Lumbini, the place where the Buddha was born in 623 BC, is situated in the Terai plains of southern Nepal. The nativity site is marked by a stone pillar erected by Indian Emperor Asoka in 249 BC.

SACRED GARDEN

Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Lumbini is being developed with international support as the supreme Buddhist pilgrimage and a symbol of world peace. The Sacred Garden where the Buddha was born converges on the Ashoka pillar which carries an inscription identifying the spot as the birthplace. To one side of the pillar is the Mayadevi Temple which houses a bas relief depicting the nativity. The Puskarni pond where Queen Mayadevi, the Buddha’s mother, had taken a bath before giving birth to him lies nearby.

TEMPLES AND MONASTERIES

The Myanmar Temple (Lokamani Pagoda) is a gleaming gold and white structure gracefully soaring into the sky in the style of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. There is a monastery complex behind the temple. Nearby, the International Gautami Nuns Temple is a fine replica of the Swayambhu stupa in Kathmandu. There is a pond here known as Paleswan Pukhu.

The China Temple is a complex of pagodas, prayer rooms, and meditation cells. Built by the Buddhist Association of China, the centerpiece at the Zhong Hua Buddhist Monastery is a huge statue of the Buddha housed in its main pagoda. Across the road lies Dae Sung Suk Ga Sa, The Korean Temple. The Nepal Buddha Temple and the Dharma Swami Maharaja Buddha Vihara are located inside the Sacred Garden.

The Japan Peace Stupa is situated at the northern end of Lumbini. Built by the Nippon Jon Myohoji of Japan, the 41-m tall edifice is visible from a distance. Four different Buddha statues are set into the four cardinal directions. Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, and Mongolia are also building temples in Lumbini.

MUSEUMS

The Lumbini Museum contains Mauryan and Kushan coins, religious manuscripts, terra-cotta fragments, and stone and metal sculptures. It is also posses an extensive collection of stamps from various countries depicting Lumbini and the Buddha.

Lumbini International Research Institute (LIRI), located opposite the Lumbini Museum provides research facilities for the study of Buddhism and religion in general. Run jointly by the Lumbini Development Trust and the Reiyukai of Japan, LIRI contains some 12,000 books on religion, philosophy, art, and architecture.

Kapilvastu Museum is situated 27 km west of Lumbini in Tilaurakot. The museum holds coins, pottery, and toys dating between the seventh century BC and fourth century AD. The museum also has a good collection of jewelry and other ornaments from that period.

FROM LUMBINI

Tilaurakot, 27 km to the west of Lumbini, contains the ruins of ancient Kapilvastu, capital of the Sakya kingdom where the Buddha spent his youth as Prince Sidhartha. At Niglihawa (8 km from Tilaurakot) and Gotihawa (5 km), there are broken Ashoka pillars and other relics. Devdaha, capital of the Koliya kingdom and maternal home of Mayadevi, lies 35 km to the northeast of Lumbini – just off the Butwal-Narayanghat section of the East-West Highway

GENERAL INFORMATION

Lumbini is situated in the tropical Terai plains to the south-west of Kathmandu.

Access: From Kathmandu, fly to Gautam Buddha Airport in Bhairahawa (Siddhartha Nagar Municipilaty, 45 km minutes) and then drive (22 km) to Lumbini. Overland from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa is 282 km (10 hours).

Climate: Absolute extreme temperature 44 degrees Celsius maximum, 7 degrees minimum. The rainy season lasts June-September.

Additional information: Lumbini Development Trust, Lumbini, Tel: 071-80189, 80194; Fax: 977-71-80181. Kathmandu Office, Tripureswor; Tel: 0977-1-4268285.

US asks Maoists to stop intimidation

Expressing concern over continued donation drive and intimidation by the Maoists even after the signing of Comprehensive Peace Accord, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs R Nicholas Burns has called on Maoists to immediately stop such activities.
Delivering his speech on the US policy for South Asia at the Asia Society in New York Monday night, Burns said, “The United States does not oppose the Maoists participating in Nepalese politics as a legitimate, peaceful political party, but it is crucial for the long-term well-being of Nepal that the Maoists give up their arms and end their extortion. That has not yet happened. We intend to hold the Maoists to that standard.”
Stating that the US will be watching the Maoist’s activities, he further said that violence and intimidation by the Maoists must end.
Stating that the US welcomed the Comprehensive Peace Accord between the government and the Maoists, Burns said, “We hope this step will place Nepal on the path of lasting peace and democracy. We truly want the peace process to work and we pledge our full support. We support an agreement that safeguards the aspirations of the Nepali people. This means violence, intimidation, and criminal acts by the Maoists must end.”
Burns also urged the political parties to remain united. “It is incumbent on the political parties to show a united front.”

Annan writes to UNSC to assist in Nepal's peace process

The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has written a letter to the UN Security Council (UNSC) president with regard A press release issued by the UN information centre in Kathmandu said the Secretary General noted that the United Nations has been requested to monitor the arrangements of arms and armed personnel by providing qualified monitors supported by appropriate technical capacity.
“Assistance is also being sought in a variety of areas in the peace process with a view to creating an atmosphere conducive to free and fair elections for the Constituent Assembly,” the Secretary General wrote.
The Secretary-General added that it is his strong belief that the UN should respond positively, and outlines three immediate steps with which he intends to proceed, the statement added.
Sources said Annan has asked the UNSC president for a mandate to "immediately" deploy 60 personnel in Nepal to monitor the peace process. Other necessary deployment will be carried out on the basis of the field report from Nepal, informed sources said.
The UNSC is likely to hold an informal meeting anytime this week on the Nepal issue, said the source.
Annan's personal representative to assist Nepal peace process Ian Martin is in New York to brief the Secretary General about the ongoing peace process in Nepal. to the peace process in Nepal for immediate assistance on it.

MOUNTAINEERING IN NEPAL

Out of the ten highest peaks in the world, eight, including the tallest peak Mt. Everest, lie in Nepal. No wonder Nepal is the favorite destination for mountaineers, with more than 600 expeditions trudging up the Himalaya each year.
SEASONS AND PERMITS: There are four mountaineering seasons: spring (March-May), summer (June-August), autumn (September-November) and winter (December-February). A total of 160 Himalayan peaks are open to mountaineers. Climbing permits are issued by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation (MoTA) for mountaineering peaks, and by the Nepal Moutaineering Association (NMA) for smaller peaks, known as trekking peaks, which range in altitude from 5,587 to 6,654 m.
The following documents have to be sent to MoTA, Mountaineering Division when applying for a climbing permit: completed application, endorsement of the National Alpine Club, short biographies of all the members of the expedition (with photograph and signature), map and/or photograph of the mountain indicating climbing route and approach route map. Enlistment of the expedition’s name does not require and fee, and it should not be paid before receiving the permit from the Ministry of Tourism.
Permits to climb the trekking peaks are issued by NMA on “first come first served” basis. It is necessary to appoint a government recognized trekking agency of Nepal as a liaison for the expedition Kathmandu. The trekking agency will look after all the requirements during the expedition.
FEE
A royalty (climbing fee) ranging from US$ 1,500 to US$ 10,000 (depending on the altitude of the peak) and US$ 50,000 for Everest is charged by MoTA for a group of seven persons. An additional US$ 20,000 is charged for the normal south east ridge route on Everest. An additional US$200 to US$ 1,500 per person (US$ 10,000 per person for Everest) will be charged if the group exceeds seven persons. The full amount of the royalty has to be paid within two months of the date of issue of the permit, otherwise it may be canceled. The royalty must be paid directly to MoCTCA by bank draft or bank transfer in convertible foreign currency only.
For trekking peaks, NMA charges a royalty of US$ 350 for a group of upto four persons. Each additional member for upto eight members is charged an extra
US$ 40. For a group exceeding eight members, NMA charges US$ 510 and US$ 25 per person for upto twelve members.
CONTACT
For further information, contact Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation, Tourism Industry Administration, Mountaineering Division, Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu; Tel: 256234
Nepal Mountaineering Association: Naxal, Kathmandu; Tel: 0977-1-443425, 0977-1-4435442; Fax: 0977-1-4434578.
E-mail: office@nepalmountaineeringassociation.com
Website: www.nepalmountaineeringassociation.com

The Yak – Not just another Hairy Beast

If you are fortunate enough to go trekking in the high Himalaya during your visit here, you will undoubtedly come across the yak. This shaggy beast, a sort of high-altitude cow, is the animal most often associated with the Himalaya. In mountain mythology yaks frequently served as messengers of the gods, but for Himalayan villagers, they are an indispensable part of daily life.
In the high Himalayan valleys, most people have served means of livelihood: farming, trading, and herding sheep and yaks. Originally, the yaks were a wild beast which roamed the Tibetan plateau. Particularly suited for high altitude living above 3000 meters, the yak is one of the mainstays of Himalayan life. Over the centuries they have been domesticated and sometimes cross-bred by the local population, but they remain shy creatures, wary of strangers and prone to erratic behavior.
Male yaks provide the major means of transporting goods in the high-altitude Himalaya and the Tibetan plateau. They can carry up to one hundred kilograms of cargo over precarious trails and snow-filled passes. In the mountains between Nepal and Tibet, long yak caravans are a common sight. The lead yaks are well trained animals who respond readily to their owner’s commands and know the trails without a faltering step-they can plow through four feet of unbroken snow. The respect given to the lead yak is shown by the lead yak is shown by the fact that it does not carry a load like the rest of the caravan and is adorned with bells and bright red tassels.
In these caravans, which can have up to fifty yaks or more, the main cargo brought from Tibet is rock salt, dried sheep meat, wool, saddle carpets, worked silver, and Chinese manufactured goods such as shoes, thermoses, flashlights, and tea cups. Often these traders sell their wares in the high valleys, but if they decide to trade at lower elevations, the loads are transferred from the yaks to mules and horses. Rice, tea, sugar, kerosene, and cloth are carried on the return trip.
The females, call dri or nak, are even more productive than the males for they give rich milk, essential to the diets of the mountain people. This milk is especially tasty because of the diet of high mountain herbs; the locals say the higher the dri grazes, the sweeter the milk. In mountain areas, where the variety of food is limited, the products derived from dri milk assume great importance. The people of this region drink more tea than anywhere else in the world, thirty to fifty cups a day. This tea is not what the foreigner would expect. It is made with milk, butter, and salt, blended in a tall wooden churn. It resembles a soup more than tea, and it fortifies the people against the cold. The milk of dris is also made into cheese and yoghurt. The cheese is dried in the sun or over an open fire to preserve it for the winter months when dairy products are scare. This is called chhurpi, a favorite snack of mountain people.
Both yaks and dris provide high quality wool, rich in lanolin and long of fiber. This creates a whole weaving industry of tents, blankets, ropes, and clothing. The meat of the animal is eaten fresh or more often, dried into jerky.
Yak herders are semi-nomadic people. They live in their own villages only during the cold winter months. Following the seasons and the grass, they move as often as six times a year. With the warm weather they move up the mountainsides, reaching the highest pastures in the summer. Some go up as high as 6000 meters.
The trekker will hike by and perhaps even camp in the high summer settlements of the yak herders. The construction of these settlements varies from place to place. Some are solid stone buildings, as found in Langtang, complete with hearths, shelves, and locking doors. Others, as in the Solu district, are simple bamboo dwellings which are moved with the herd from pasture to pasture. The herders and animals stay in the summer pastures from May to September. In this period the females give birth, thus increasing their capacity to produce milk. Half the daily milk is left for the young, while the herders take the rest for their own needs.
With the advent of autumn, the herds are slowly moved back down. Spring is a time of festivals for the departure of the herders from their homes to the pastures above. Summer is probably the favorite season because the weather is warm and the grass and milk plentiful. Fall brings much work, for the winter fodder must be cut, dried, and stored.
The number of yaks in a man’s herd represents his wealth. A yak is a substantial investment for the Himalaya dweller and an important piece of property. Yaks may live thirty years; their age is visible by the length of their horns. They make and produce milk between the ages of three and twenty-five. Young virile yaks often test their prowess in competitive battles over the females. These fights are fierce clashes, sometimes resulting in the loser falling over a cliff or into a gorge.
Yaks that have been crossbred with cows are called dzo (male) and dzomo (female). They can live at lower altitude and are easier to handle when carrying loads. The dzomo retains the fine milking characteristics of the dris. The visible difference between the two types of animals is very slight; dzos and dzomos are smaller and do not have the long shaggy hair falling from their flanks and sides as yak do.Listen for the tinkling of yak bells as you trek through the mountains, along the step trails and through high pastures. You are hearing the age-old sound of the messengers of gods, the sound of a way of life unique to the Himalaya.

YETI -The abominable Snowman

There are plenty of anecdotes and stories of Yeti sightings by village people of the Himalayan regions of Tibet, Nepal and Sikkim. Yeti has also been sighted occasionally in the Pamirs and in the high mountains of Mongolia. Yogi Narharinath, a Nepalese historian, claims he saw the Himalayan “Abominable Snowman” in July 1968 while returning from a pilgrimage to the Mansarovar Lake in western Tibet.
Sensational news came from a small Sherpa village, Machermo, two days’ walk from Namche Bazaar, in July 1974. A 18 years old Sherpa girl, named Lakpa Doma said she had been attacked by a Yeti. The beast killed five of Lakpa Doma’s yaks by twisting their heads by the horns. The girl told that her attacker was darker in color, had shrunken eyes and black-brown hair covering its body. The police also investigated the case and found some footprints measuring 10.1 cm by 30.4 cm nearby. This is the only case of someone actually seeing a supposed Yeti in full view.
“I have one more ambition and it is to find the Snowman” said Sir Edmund Hillary in an address to Yeti-fans in New York after he made the first successful ascent in Mt. Everest. In 1960, he led an extensive search in Khumbu (the Everest region) and Arun Valley of northeastern Nepal for the Yeti. He returned with a scalp of a so called Yeti from the Khumjung monastery and took it to Chicago, London and Paris for laboratory testing. The scalp turned out to be nothing more than a 200-year-old artifact made from the hide of a Himalayan goat. Again, in the early 1970s another scalp from Pangboche monastery was examined in laboratories of Europe. Some examiners declared it a fake, but others, including a parapsychologist, said it was genuine.
The 1950s were the golden age for Yeti legends. Michael Peissel, the archaeologist and explorer, pointed out in 1961 that it was during the 1950s that special licenses (at Pound 400 per Yeti) were introduced by the Government of Nepal for Yeti hunters. An official tourist brochure of the period proclaimed that Nepal was the “land of Mount Everest and the Yeti.”
On April 28, 1988 just below base camp at 4585, John Paul Davidson, the BBC director, saw some tracks on the hillside above the Menlung Valley. He climbed up through the sonw to reach them and, as he got there, became conscious of a figure behind a rock above him. It was cloudy with flurries of snow, so he was unable to fully identify the figure, but reports that the creature he saw was very big indeed. It was a strange and frightening experience, and remains unexplained.
The Yeti was once designated as one of the protected mammals of Nepal. It was also included in the map of Nepalese mammals published by UNICEF and the Wildlife Conservation Section of the Nepal Government. In Kathmandu many hotels, restaurants, travel agents and numerous commercial establishments have adopted the legendary name of Yeti. It serves as the mascot of the Kingdom’s national airlines, Royal Nepal Airlines.
After so many years of searching and investigation, scientists have deduced a few hypotheses on the Yeti’s suspicious existence. One is that it might be the long-extinct giant orangutan of the Himalayan foothills, which survived by taking refuge in the once-remote reaches. If so, it is now probably on the verge of extinction. Another theory says that the animal could be a direct descendant of Peking man or Gigantopithecus of one million years BC. This ape-man could have evolved in obscurity in inhospitable habitats. Some hopeful Yeti advocates think of the Yeti in terms of “a missing link” in anthropology; others say that there is no fast evidence to substantiate a beast as the Yeti, and that the so-called Yeti footprints found in the snow are either of the Himalayan bear or the Tibetan Giant Panda. They staunchly claim that this seemingly elusive creature is the product of fantastic myth and fanciful legend.
Man has conquered the moon, but there are many mysteries on our earth still to be explored and explained. Among them Yeti, the snowman, is one. Ape, subhuman, wild snowman or demon – the myth of the Yeti, lives on. Perhaps someday the Yeti will be found as was the Spiny Babler of Nepal, the Cavemen of Kerala or China’s Giant Panda. Enthusiastic believers have not yet given up their hope of finding the Yeti.

Government, Maoists sign arms management accord

After five days of hectic deliberations, the government and the Maoists signed a deal on management of arms and armies Tuesday evening.
Coordinator of the government’s talks team Home Minister Krishna Prasad Situala and Maoist chief negotiator Krishna Prasad Mahara signed the ‘Agreement on Monitoring of the Management of Arms and Armies’ amidst a news conference in Kathmandu.
A meeting of the representatives of the government, the CPN (Maoist) and United Nations finalised the modalities of management of arms and armies and the monitoring process.
They also settled contentious issues including the number of the arms to be kept by the Maoist People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for the security of its camps around the country and the issue whether military drillings should be allowed inside cantonments.
As per the agreement, the Maoists would be allowed to keep 30 arms for the security of each of the seven main camps and 15 arms for 21 satellite camps. The agreement has also ended the controversy over the categorization of the Maoist military, deciding to name the PLA structure simply as main camp and satellite camp.
The two sides have also agreed to form a nine-member Joint Monitoring Coordination Committee (JMCC) comprising three members from the Maoists, the government and the UN each, which will oversee the monitoring process.
The 12-page agreement paper says the PLA men would be allowed to conduct light military drillings inside the camps, without using of heavy fireworks, while the Nepal Army would be allowed to conduct its regular military exercises.
According to the agreement, up to 12 percent Maoist combatants would be allowed to take leave at a time. Regarding the verification of the combatants, those recruited prior to the signing of the ceasefire code of conduct (May 26), and those who reached 18 years of age by then, would be kept in the camps.
Addressing the news conference, Home Minister Situala described the agreement as a crucial development although it took some time to reach consensus. He informed that the draft of the agreement would be sent to the UN secretary general’s personal representative to Nepal, Ian Martin, for approval. He informed that 70 containers are being imported from India for storage of arms of the PLA and the Nepal Army.
The government and the Maoists had on November 21 agreed to lock of the arms of the Nepal Army equivalent to that of the PLA.
Similarly, Mahara, who is also the Maoist spokesperson, expressed confidence that the agreement would pave the way for political settlement. He also said the Maoists were committed to socio-economic transformation of the country.
Government and Maoist negotiators had held two rounds of meetings at Hotel Sangrila, Lazimpat, before finalising the accord.
Talking to reporters after the news conference, minister Pradeep Gyawali said the two sides have reached an agreement regarding the integration of the PLA men in the future National Army “based on accepted international norms”.
Home Minister Situala, government’s talks team members Gyawali and Ramesh Lekhak represented the government side in the marathon meeting that finalised the accord while Dr Baburam Bhattarai, Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’, talks coordinator Mahara and deputy commanders Pasang, Ananta, Baldev and Prabhakar represented the Maoist side.
Nepali Congress leader Dr Shekhar Koirala, UN’s John Norris and Jan Eric Wilhemson, Brigadier General of Nepal Army Shiva Ram Pradhan and AIG of Nepal Police Amar Singh Shah were also involved in the negotiations

FACTS ABOUT NEPAL

Nepal is a kingdom of high Himalayan mountains, artistic monuments, exotic wildlife and diverse cultures. It is the land where Lord Buddha was born over 2,500 years ago. Roughly rectangular in shape, the kingdom of Nepal is situated between China to the north and India to the south. The land extends approximately 885 km east to west, and 193 km north to south. Nepal is primarily an agricultural country. Tourism, carpets and garments are the major industries.

THE LAND: The terrain rises from the Terai, the southern plains covered with tropical jungles and fertile farmland at almost sea level, to the high Himalaya mountains in the north with valleys and lush hills in between within a distance of less than 200 km. Eight of the ten highest peaks in the world lies in Nepal.

CLIMATE: Nepal contains a variety of climatic conditions ranging from the tropical heat of the Terai plains to the freezing cold of the high Himalaya. The mid-hills, particularly the Kathmandu Valley, are pleasant with warm summers and cool winters. Temperatures range between a maximum of 37 and a minimum of 8 degrees Celsius in the plains, 28 and 2 degrees Celsius in the mountains. The rainy season lasts from June to August.

Wildlife: Nepal provides shelters to over 30 species of large wild animals and approximately 180 species of mammals. The rhinoceros, tiger, crocodile, snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan black bear and many other beast are found in Nepal’s jungles. Nepal is also a haven for birds and over 800 species, representing approximately 10% of the world population, are found here. There are more than 650 species of butterflies and over 6,000 species of moths.

THE PEOPLE: Nepal’s many ethnic groups are as varied as its land with their own languages and cultures. In the Kathmandu Valley’s ethnic group are Newars; Bramins and Chhetris are scattered over the hills and valleys. The sherpas of the Himalaya are known as tough mountain climbers; and Tamangs are found in the districts around the Kathmandu Valley. The Rais, Limbus, Magars and Gurungs of the mid-hills have earned fame as Gurkha soldiers. Lowland ethnic groups such as the Maithili, Bhojpuria dn Tharu enchance the colorful mosaic. The population of Nepal is about 25 million.

LANGUAGE: Nepali, written in Devanagari script, is the national language as well as the lingua franca for Nepal’s diverse communities. Many languages and dialects are spoken in the kingdom, however, only six (Nepali, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang and Nepalbhasa) are spoken by more than half a million people. English and Hindi are widely understood in the urban centers and places frequented by tourists.

CURRENCY: Nepalese currency is rupee (abbrev. Rs.) which is divided into 100 paisa. Bank note con in denomination of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 rupees. Approximately exchange rate at this time is US$ 1 = Rs. 72.50

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Government forms high-level committee to study report of Rayamajhi commission

With the government facing criticism for not publicizing the report submitted by the High Level Probe Commission formed to probe the atrocities committed to suppress April movement of the country and taking action against perpetrators, the government had formed a high level committee to study the report and recommend for action.
Monday’s meeting of the council of ministers held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar formed a high level committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to study the report submitted by the Rayamajhi Commission and recommend for appropriate action.
Other members of the high level committee are Minister for Physical Planning and Works Gopal Man Shrestha, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply Hridayesh Tripathi and Minister for Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Narendra Bikram Nemwang.
The government will publicize the report after the committee submits its report and recommends action against the people involved in suppression of the April movement.
The high level commission headed by former Supreme Court Justice Krishna Jung Rayamajhi has held then chairman of the council of ministers, King Gyanendra, responsible for the suppression of the people’s movement. The commission has also recommended action against 202 persons.
25 pro-democracy activists were killed and thousands injured during the 19-day long pro-democracy movement of the country.
The cabinet meeting also made some promotions in the Nepali Army. However the list was not disclosed immediately.
The cabinet meeting did not discuss other regular agendas, as the Prime Minister could not attend the meeting for a long time due to his poor health.

KATHMANDU VALLEY-Nepal

The Kathmandu Valley contains three cities – Kathmandu (population 600,000); Patan
( pp. 200,000); and Bhaktapur. Kirtipur and Thimi are two other smaller municipalities. There are seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Valley. The Valley was once a lake. According to legend, a Buddhist saint named Manjushree drained out the waters by slashing a passage through the hills and peopled it with his followers. Over the millenniums, a refined urban civilization emerged, built on a unique synthesis of Hinduism and Buddhism. Dynasties came and went. Commerce and craft flourished.
KATHMANUDU
Durbar Square (World Heritage Site). This complex of palace buildings, courtyards and pagoda temples, build between 12th and 19 th centuries, used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. It is urban and ceremonial focal point of the city.
Pashupatinath Temple (World Heritage Site). One of the holiest Hindu shrines in the world. Pashupatinath lies 5 km to the east of the city center. The fabulous pagoda houses the linga (phallic symbol) of the Lord Shiva.
Swayambhu Stupa (World Heritage Site) watches over the Valley from the top of a hillock to the west. One of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal, its establishment is linked to the creation of the Kathmandu Valley. You can get a very good view of Kathmandu from here.
Changu Narayan Temple (World Heritage Site) is situated at the end of a ridge that sticks out into the Valley, about 12 km east of Kathmandu. It is dedicated to the Hindu go Bishnu. One of the oldest specimens of pagoda architecture, the temple is embellished with exquisite wood and stone carvings.
Balaju consists of a sprawling garden of stone water spouts, religious shrines, fish ponds and a replica of the statue of Budhanilkantha. It is situated below Nagarjun hill about
3 km northeast of the city center.
Budhanilkanth, or Shivapuri hill at the northern end of the Valley, about 9 km from the city center. There is a pond in the middle of which lies an immense stone figure of the Hindu god Bishnu reclining on the coils of a serpent.
Bouddhanath Stupa (World Heritage Site) lies 6 km to the east of downtown. Many monasteries here provide excellent exposure to Tibetan culture. The Bouddha Area Preservation & Development Committee offers information to visitors.
Asan market square is located midway on the diagonal thoroughfare linking Darbar Square with Durbar Marg. The bazaar is a swirl of color against a backdrop of temples and open-fronted shops. Narrow lanes radiate out leading to mysterious courtyards.

PATAN
Durbar Square (World Heritage Site), an enchanting mélange of palace buildings, courtyards and pagoda temples, is the centre of Patan’s religious and social life.
The Central Zoo in Jawalakhel contains about 106 birds and over 665 different animals. There is a where you can go boating and also you can have elephant ride.
Mahaboudha. This Buddhist monument is an excellent example of terra cotta art form which points to the skill of Patan’s ancient craftsmen with a variety of building styles.The 14th-centuary monument’s obelisk-like design is also unusual in a city of pagoda roofs.
Kwa Bahal, or the Golden Temple, is a Buddhist monastery courtyard dating to the 12th century. Located 200 metre north and west of Durbar Square, it is embellished with exceptionally fine wood-carving work. Artistic images are scattered around the courtyard.
Kumbheswar. Build in 1392, this Shiva temple is the oldest temple in the city. It is also one of the only three in the Valley with fine roofs. The water in the two ponds here is believed to originate in the holy Gosaikund Lake, several days’ walk to the north.

BHAKTAPUR
Durbar Square (World Heritage Site). This former royal palace complex offers the elegant 15th-century Palace of 55 Windows, artistic courtyards, the Golden Gate, are masterpiece in every way, and an entrancing medley of pagoda temples scattered all over.
Taumadhi Square lies to the east of Durbar Square reached by a brick-paved lane. The five-roofed Nyatapol temple (built in 1702) here soars gracefully into the sky from atop a five-level plinth. The stairway leading up to the temple is flanked with stone figures of deities and mythical beasts.
Tachapal Square or Dattatreya, at the hub of a maze of streets lined with richly ornamented houses, presents an entrancing ambiance. The heart of uptown, it is the original centre of Bhaktapur. The Peacock Window is set into the wall of a Hindu monastery here known as Math.
Surya Binayak is a very popular pilgrimage and picnic spot. Situated in a forest to the south of Bhaktapur, it is a 20-minute walk from the trolley bus terminal. The temple, dedicated to the Hindu deity Ganesh, is crowed especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Tripartite agreement near consensus, Martin leaves for NY

The joint team discussion among the government, the Maoists and the United Nations representatives for the purpose of reaching tripartite agreement, on Saturday, ended inconclusive.
The members of the joint team spent over seven hours discussing the detailed modality for arms and army management at Summit hotel in Lalitpur today.
After the meeting ended at around 7:30 pm , the government and the Maoist talk teams members told journalists that they only had a few issues that remained unsettled. They said remaining issues in the 16-page long tripartite agreement would be finalized and signed on Sunday.
The meeting has intensively discussed the modalities of arms and army management, number of weapons required by the People's Liberation Army for security of the camps, establishment of 21 associate camps nearby the main camps and so on.
It is learnt that a commission has been proposed to monitor the arms of PLA and Nepali Army and the UN would be given the role of observer only.
The three sides have been attempting to finalize the tripartite agreement after personal representative of the UN secretary general to Nepal Ian Martin suggested adopting the interim constitution only after the finalization of tripartite agreement for arms and army management.
Meanwhile, Martin left for New York on Saturday evening to present the report of progress on Nepal's peace process to the UN secretary general Kofi Annan. After approval by the Security Council, the UN expert team is expected to start its work from next week.

13 Tibetan asylum-seekers arrested in Sindhupalchowk, Nepal

Police in Sindhupalchowk have arrested 13 Tibetans, who were on their way to Kathmandu after crossing the Nepal-Tibet border illegally.
The Tibetans were trying to enter Kathmandu from Bhotechour but were stopped by local residents and then handed over to the police on Friday. Reports said the locals even beat up the refugees, suspecting them as members of a gang involved in human trafficking.
According to police, the Tibetans said they wanted to go to the northern Indian town of Dharmashala, from Kathmandu, where the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is based.
The arrested Tibetans have been kept at the Immigration Office in Tatopani, the bordering town in Sindhupalchowk.

OHCHR concerned about discrimination in Citizenship Bill

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal has expressed concern over the proposed Citizenship Bill, saying it is discriminatory.

Head of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal, Lena Sudh (Photo source: OHCHR-Nepal)

A press release issued by OHCHR-Nepal said that the office has written to the Speaker of the Parliament, detailing its concerns regarding the Citizenship Bill currently before the House of Representatives.
The statement quoted Lena Sundh, Chief of the OHCHR in Nepal as saying, “The current Bill is discriminatory on the grounds of gender and could result in discrimination against displaced persons and members of marginalised groups.”
Stating that in Nepal, any domestic laws, which conflict with international treaties to which it is a State Party are invalid under the Nepal Treaty Act, the OHCHR statement said, The current draft of the Citizenship Bill is discriminatory against women and is therefore in contravention of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which requires Nepal as a State Party to embody the principle of gender equality in its national legislation.
The statement further said, section 4 of the Bill sets out provisions which make it more difficult for a child born of a Nepali mother and a foreign father to gain citizenship than for a child born of a Nepali father and a foreign mother. The Bill also sets out provisions, which discriminate against a foreign partner of a Nepali woman, in terms of their qualification for citizenship.
In relation to displaced persons, members of marginalised groups and of the diaspora, OHCHR-Nepal is especially concerned about the provisions of Section 8 of the Citizenship Bill, which require the presentation of certain types of documentation in order to qualify for citizenship, the statement added.
“These provisions are likely to create major obstacles for many people of Madhesi background, including from Terai Dalit communities and indigenous communities, who do not currently have citizenship or the sort of documentation required,” the statement added.
The OHCHR further said that these provisions are contrary to the obligations of Nepal as a signatory of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
“In recent meetings with representatives from marginalised communities, such as Madhesis, Dalits, women from Terai communities and indigenous communities, I have heard their concerns about the Citizenship Bill. This is an important opportunity for the House of Representatives to enshrine in law the principle of equality and to realise the commitment made by the Government and the CPN-Maoist in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to end discrimination in Nepal.” OHCHR chief Sundh added.
The parliamentary State Affairs Committee on Thursday unanimously passed the Citizenship Bill after crucial discussions. The Bill would be presented to the parliament for final enactment on Sunday.
The government plans to provide citizenship before the elections of the Constituent Assembly and to update the voters' list based on that.

Prachanda, Five Beauties and Ten Questions

Prachanda has already denied claims that Karishma Manandhar is his favourite actress. Instead, he is said to favour the gracefulness of Shanti Maskey and Mithila Prachanda and the stunning beauties from Nepal's glamour industry: these two are poles apart. But then, the "law of reverse effect" as propounded by the French scientist Pierre Curie comes into effect. After all, what the mind tries to shun, the conscience zeroes in on the same and crashes head-on with it.
One would be tempted to think that the glamorous ladies are unlikely to make candid comments on Prachanda. But these "beauties with brains" were prepared to speak their mind!
Actress Rekha Thapa, former Miss Nepal Malvika Subba, actress and media person Kriti Bhattarai, songbird Riza Uprety and Miss Teen Tamang Jenisha Moktan candidly answered ten questions about the Maoist chairman. They have defined Prachanda based on their age, profession, interests and background. And this "Understanding Prachanda" mission is probably not the same as the case of the five blind men trying to conjure up the image of an elephant based on the beast's body parts they grasped.
Q. How do you find Prachanda's face?
Rekha: I have seen him in person and I find his face… artistic. I like his smile. And his eyes have sex appeal.
Malvika: Normal, like other common citizens.
Kriti: Initially, I wasn't even sure if "Prachanda" was a real person. My misgivings were put to rest after he became public. His personality is not extraordinary.
Riza: He is handsome but dangerous also.
Jenisha: He looks fearsome. Not surprising for a person who had been hiding in the jungles.
Q. Any comments on his moustache?
Rekha: He looks handsome because of his moustache. Not everyone can say that.
Malvika: I did not like it. In fact, I don't like it when anyone keeps a moustache.
Kriti: No comment. I have faced many questions about men and their moustaches!
Riza: The moustache is his defining feature. It is what makes him look like Prachanda.
Jenisha: I have never seen him without his moustache. He probably has it on because it suits him.
Q. What separates him from other leaders?
Rekha: I don't know any other leaders. As a girl from the east, I know Girija Prasad Koirala but that’s it.
Malvika: The other leaders contributed to the revolution in their Pajeros but he decided to do it the hard way.
Kriti: We had to wait just to know his identity. That is the difference.
Riza: The others don't have his moustache. And I haven't seen the other leaders donning vermillion on their foreheads.
Jenisha: The other leaders are attired in Topi and Daura Suruwal but I've never seen him wear it.
Q. How do you feel when you see his face being flaunted everywhere?
Rekha: It's delightful. Let's accept him for once. Give him a chance to open himself up even more.
Malvika: They are trying to delineate him as a person commanding fear and awe.
Kriti: This sort of atmosphere is common during changing times.
Riza: I feel like he is the new "Nepali hero". The days of Rajesh Hamal appear numbered!
Jenisha: Can photos really have an effect?
Q. The grapevine has it that he liked the Bollywood film Rang De Basanti. Any reasons why?
Rekha: I was angry when I heard it. If he of all people doesn't promote Nepali films, who will?
Rekha: Endow the country and its people with talent and not wealth.
Malvika: That no more innocents will have to die.
Kriti: I'd ask him why in the world a person like him would make a commitment for a nonentity like me.
Riza: I would ask him to make me courageous like him. I am a yellow-bellied coward.
Who knows, maybe there will come a day when I myself will have to become another "Prachanda".
Jenisha: There is not much really. Why would he act upon my words?
Q. If you were to give him a present on his birthday?
Rekha: Why one? I'd give him two. A white rose and a dove.
Malvika: Wisdom that would prevent him from going back to the path of violence.
Kriti: I don't give gifts to anyone other than those I know personally. I'd just give him my best wishes.
Riza: A national flag and a nice little card that reads- "may peace prevail in Nepal".
Jenisha: I'd give him a tiffin-box. A busy person like him probably won't have time to go to a hotel.
Q. If he wanted to meet you for your advice, what kind of dress would you wear?
Rekha: I wouldn't wear a skirt. Suit, kurta-salwar or saree probably.
Malvika: Jeans and T-shirt. Whatever I find comfortable.
Kriti: I don't put on special dresses except for parties.
Riza: Casual wear. And no lipstick.
Jenisha: T-shirt and any pair of pants.
Q. What would be your first question if you suddenly met him?
Rekha: What provisions are being made for women's empowerment? Do you accept women power?
Malvika: After all the killings, any guilt pangs?
Kriti: How does it feel to be at the helm of a party like the CPN-M?
Riza: Was there no alternative to the armed struggle?
Jenisha: What kind of a childhood ambition would make a leader like you?
Q. Where would you go to if you had to go on a date with Prachanda?
Rekha: An ice-cream parlour. We'd talk over some ice-cream. The present situation calls for a cool-headed discussion!
Malvika: Dating? I've heard he has sons older than me. No way.
Kriti: How can I go on a date with a person I hardly know?
Riza: I'd go to Swayambhu. Take him to Bouddha and show him around the city.
Jenisha: Some restaurant in Thamel. Where there are lots of people. Not in a secluded spot!Sharma for the overt sensuality of Karishma. This gives a hint of the depth of the knowledge of beauty the rebel leader has.

Govt provides Rs 70m to Maoists for management of cantonments

The government has provided Rs70 million to the Maoists for management of their People’s Liberation Army (PLA) camps around the country.
Home Minister Krishna Prasad Situala told media persons at the Singh Durbar Thursday that the amount has been handed over to the Maoists as the first installment for management of cantonments in seven districts.
Long term management of the cantonments would require a big budget and the amount released today is meant for making immediate arrangements like food and other supplies, he said.
A meeting of the Council of Ministers had on November 9 decided to provide budget for management of PLA camps established in seven districts around the country.
Meanwhile, the Camp Management Central Coordinator's Office (CMCCO), a body formed by the government to look after the management of the Maoist camps, started its works from today. The CMCCO headed by western regional administrator Sushil Jung Rana has its office at the building of the Peace Secretariat at Singha Durbar.
A ‘direction committee’ headed by the Prime Minister and ‘implementation committee’ headed by the chief secretary of the government have also been formed to assist the camp management process. The government has also decided to form ‘camp management committees’ in seven districts – Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Surkhet, Rolpa, Kailali, Ilam and Sindhuli – where PLA camps have been established.
The PLA has 35,000 combatants, according to the Maoists.

Coming of winter

Welcome Winter

Comprehensive Peace Accord signed, Armed Insurgency declared officially over

Ten years and over 13,000 lives later, the armed insurgency in Nepal has finally been declared officially over.
In a historic ceremony held at the Birendra International Convention Center this evening, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist chairman Prachanda signed the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) 2006 bringing the decade-long armed insurgency to an end and promising to chart a new destiny for "peaceful and democratic" new Nepal.

Inclusive of provisions on human rights, civil and political rights, arms and army management, socio-economic transformation, among others, the ten-point CPA was signed this evening in the presence of ministers, political party leaders, Maoist leaders, foreign diplomats, MPs, government officials and media representatives.

The preamble of the CPA reiterates the commitment of the two parties – the government and the Maoists – to abide by the previous agreements and commitments and desires of the people.
"Beginning today, the politics of killing, violence and terror will be replaced by the politics of reconciliation," declared the 85-year-old PM Koirala who said he had put his entire political career at risk by venturing on this path of peace and democracy. "Being a democrat, I wanted to bring non-democrats into the framework of democracy. I was warned by many friends about the hazards of dealing with terrorists but I thought that bringing all under democratic framework was the duty of a democrat."

PM Koirala said, "We all are entering into a new era from today. All of us Nepalis must come together to build a new Nepal." He added that Nepal will, henceforth, be regarded as a model in conflict resolution by other conflict-torn countries around the world.
Prachanda stated that with the signing of the CPA, people of Nepal were in a position to give message to the entire world. "The continuity of 238-year-old tradition has been broken now. This is the victory of Nepalese people and the loss of regressive elements," he said.

Prachanda said that like in the war, his party would work with equal zeal to implement the peace accord. "We have no prejudices against anyone. We want to make it clear to everyone that we are neither conservative nor dogmatic in our thinking," he said, adding that people of Nepal will "perform another miracle" by working on a war-footing to develop their nation after the elections of Constituent Assembly. He termed the successful struggle of the people of Nepal as the first miracle of the 21 st century.
Earlier, Home Minister and coordinator of government talks team Krishna Sitaula narrated the CPA before the audience.

By making the ceasefire permanent, the accord declares the armed insurgency that began since February, 1996 as officially over. Effective immediately, the CPA states that illegal carrying of weapons, their display and any kind of attack, threat, intimidation would, henceforth, be punishable by law.
Reiterating the commitment to hold the elections of CA by mid-June, 2007, the CPA prohibits all kinds of illegal use of weapons, raid, ambush, mining, aerial attack, abduction, etc. Within 30 days both the sides will share information regarding the placement of mines and within 60 days they all would be disabled, it states.
The CPA also talks about rehabilitation of conflict victims. It vows to form a high-level Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate about human rights abuses. It has a provision guaranteeing free passage of civil servants, UN, I/NGO workers across the country.

The accord has separate provisions dealing with civil and political rights and rights of women and children.
On the issue of implementation and monitoring, the accord states that the UN will be allowed to continue its monitoring of human rights. Likewise, the UN team will be asked to verify and monitor arms and army management, which will be as per the November 8 agreement. It also states that the UN will be asked to observe the CA polls as well.

The CPA also declares that henceforth no parallel institution will exist in the country – which means the Maoists' People's Court, People's Government, parallel tax collection and similar other parallel outfits will cease to function. This effectively ends the existence of two regimes – which the Maoist leaders have often pointed out to justify their extortion, justice dispensation and similar other activities - within the country.
The CPA further states that after the formation of interim parliament and promulgation of interim constitution, the "two parties" will cease to exist and the sole responsibility of implementing the agreements, including the CPA will fall under the shoulder of interim cabinet.

The CPA signing ceremony was attended by an impressive corps of diplomats including ambassadors of India, China, and the United States. PM Koirala and Prachanda were flanked by top leaders of the seven parties on either side. Ministers, Maoist leaders, talks team members and observers were seated in second and third row. Ian Martin, the Personal Representative of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, was also invited to the dias. Audience included government officials, MPs, journalists, and civil society leaders.

Meanwhile, a statement from the US Embassy in Kathmandu a short while later, welcoming the peace accord said, "The US Embassy welcomes the announcement of a comprehensive peace agreement between the Government of Nepal and the Maoists. We hope this step will place Nepal on the path of lasting peace and democracy. We want the peace process to work and we pledge our full support. We support an agreement that safeguards the aspirations of the Nepali people."
The statement further states, "This means violence, intimidation, and criminal acts -- such as forced recruitment of cadre and extortion -- must end. The Nepali people, who have lived in fear for 11 years, deserve a chance to live without fear and choose their form of government in fair elections."
"The United States is committed to help Nepal build a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic future for its people," the statement said.
Following the US statement, a statement by Ian Martin in Nepal, Personal Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Nepal said, "It is a privilege to have been present at the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, marking another key step forward in the peace process. When Secretary-General Kofi Annan heartily welcomed the agreement of 8 November between the Seven Party Alliance and the CPN-M, he called it a historic opportunity for the people of Nepal to end the armed conflict and to build sustainable peace within an inclusive and democratic state. Now today's Agreement promises to convert the ceasefire into long-term peace. Those involved on both sides are to be congratulated for their hard work in finalising an Agreement which is entirely a Nepali achievement.”

"The Secretary-General has said that he intends to move promptly to respond to the request to the United Nations to help in key areas of the peace process. I am pleased to say that my Office is working in an excellent spirit of collaboration with the Government and the CPN-M on these areas, and today we have completed agreement on the locations of seven divisional PLA cantonment sites. With the Comprehensive Peace Agreement now signed, I hope that we will quickly be able to reach tripartite agreement on the full modalities for the management of arms and armies, clarifying essential details regarding confinement to cantonments and restriction to barracks, weapons storage, permitted and prohibited activities, and monitoring arrangements. The United Nations will then be able to move forward with its planning to deploy monitors and other personnel. I also look forward to discussing how the United Nations' role in the other areas requested, of human rights monitoring, assisting independent national monitoring, and electoral assistance and monitoring, can help to create the climate of multi-party democracy and pluralism throughout the districts and villages of Nepal which is essential for the free and fair Constituent Assembly election to which the parties have committed themselves," the statement further reads.

In yet another quick reaction, a statement by the Embassy of India, Kathmandu said, “The Government of India welcomes the signing of the Comprehensive National Peace Agreement between the Government of Nepal and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). We believe the Agreement reflects the overwhelming desire of the people of Nepal for peace and stability.”The statement reads further, “We hope that this Agreement brings to an end the politics and culture of violence, and heralds the beginning of a lasting peace in order to let the people of Nepal exercise their right to decide their destiny through free and fair elections, without intimidation.”“The critical test of this Agreement will be its implementation on the ground. We call upon all sides and all stakeholders in Nepal to strictly abide by their commitments under this Agreement. Violations must be dealt with under the laws of the land, and full cooperation extended to those empowered to supervise the steps ahead, such as the police, the Election Commission, and the UN. The people’s mandate, and their trust, must not be betrayed,” the statement said.“India stands ready to continue to help in every way, to ensure that this historic opportunity is not lost,” the statement said.

High level probe commission recommends action against King; others

The High-Level Commission formed to probe the atrocities to suppress April movement of the country has recommended the parliament to take steps to take action against the King as it said the King was primarily responsible for the killings and suppression.
In a report submitted to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, the commission led by former Supreme Court Justice Krishna Jung Rayamajhi, has suggested that all former ministers of the royal government be prosecuted on the charge of human rights violations, some be prosecuted on corruption charge and some be prosecuted on both counts.
It has also suggested promulgation of a new law as no law empowers their prosecution under charge of violation of human rights.
According to reports, some of those ministers the commission wants prosecuted on corruption as well as rights abuse charges are Kamal Thapa, Shrish Sumsher Rana and Tanka Dhakal. They were found guilty of misusing state treasury. It found Thapa, Rana and Dhakal had misused Rs 1.75 million, Rs 10 million and Rs 4 million, respectively.
It has asked the government to prosecute former Chief of Army Staff Pyar Jung Thapa on corruption charge for misusing Rs 2 million. It has recommended prosecution of all members of the cabinet, including the king who chaired it, for human rights violations.
The commission has recommended departmental action against the current chief of army staff Rookmangud Katawal and the chief of armed police force Basudev Oli. It told the government to warn them of demotion if they repeat their offfences.
The commission recommended the government to sack SSP of the armed police force Madhav Thapa, former chief secretary Lokman Singh Karki, former chief district officer of Kathmandu Sushil Ghimire and suspended Inspector General of Armed Police Force Shahabir Thapa and the then Inspector General of Nepal Police Shyam Bhakta Thapa.
It recommended the government to prosecute Durja Kumar Rai and 15 police personnel on charge of murder.
It has asked the government to use its discretion whether to sack or take departmental action against AIGs of Nepal Police Rajendra Bahadur Singh, police officials Roop Sagar Moktan and Krishna Basnet and Major General of Nepal Army Kiran Sumsher Thapa.
Stating that the Regional and Zonal administrators were also found guilty of corruption and rights abuse, it has sought their prosecution on corruption and human rights abuse charges.
It has recommended departmental action against Niranjan Baral, Madhav Regmi, Shambhu Koirala, Dilli Siwakoti and Narendra Sharma who were district development officers under the royal regime. Currently they are in government service.
The commission also recommend the government to use its discretion either to stop promotion or salary hike for police official Ravi Raj Thapa, government secretaries Bal Krishna Prasain, Kumar Paudel and sitting Defence Secretary Bishnu Dutta Uprety.
It suggests prosecution of the governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, Bijaya Nath Bhattarai, and executive director of the Nepal Tourism Board, Tek Bahadur Dangi, on corruption charge. Bhattarai was found guilty of misusing the state treasury to serve the interests of the then regime and of laundering foreign exchange.
A press release issued by the commission said it has recommended action against 202 persons. It had, however, interrogated 296 persons.
25 people were killed and hundreds other injured during the Jana Andolan (People's Movement) II. Two members of the commission however submitted separate report to Prime Minister Koirala expressing reservation over the report submitted by the majority.

Comprehensive peace accord signed

The government and the Maoists have signed the peace accord this evening, declaring the end of the decade-long Maoist war in the country.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist supremo Prachanda signed the historic accord at the Birendra International Convention Centre (BICC) at Baneshwor at 8:30 p.m. this evening.
Details to follow in a short while.
Meanwhile, a statement from the US Embassy in Kathmandu a short while later, welcoming the peace accord said, "The US Embassy welcomes the announcement of a comprehensive peace agreement between the Government of Nepal and the Maoists. We hope this step will place Nepal on the path of lasting peace and democracy. We want the peace process to work and we pledge our full support. We support an agreement that safeguards the aspirations of the Nepali people."
The further states, "This means violence, intimidation, and criminal acts -- such as forced recruitment of cadre and extortion -- must end. The Nepali people, who have lived in fear for 11 years, deserve a chance to live without fear and choose their form of government in fair elections."

Nepal

Dear Reader:
Thanks for clicking. This is the beginning of the introduction to the land of temples where lies the highest peak of the world "Mount Everest" which occupies a place in the snowy landscape of this region of south-east asia. I hope our interaction will be much fruitfull in coming days.

Friendship

US urges Maoists to end forceful recruitment

With the recent recruitment drive of the Maoists getting widespread criticism from all quarters, the US has also denounced the continued forced recruitment of Nepalis – including children – into the armed ranks of the Maoists.
A press release issued by US Embassy in Kathmandu said, “Such action violates all human rights norms and directly contravenes the spirit and letter of agreements the insurgents signed with the Government of Nepal.”
As the Maoists are poised to enter an interim government, it is strange and troubling that they continue to harass the very people they claim they would serve in office, the statement added.
The US Embassy has urged the Maoists to immediately end this practice and all other forms of violence, intimidation and extortion.
All of these flout the rule of law and violate basic human rights, the Embassy said.
“The Nepali people have lived in fear for 11 years. It is time to remove this fear and show basic respect for all Nepali citizens and their fundamental rights,” the statement added.
The US has said the Maoists will not be removed from its terrorist list until they totally renounce violence. The US has further said it will not provide assistance to the ministries led by Maoists, after the Maoists joined the interim government.